About CPO Matt McAlear

The path to my career was shaped during an experience almost twenty years ago. I am the Vice President and Chief Program Officer of Easter Seals Bay Area – a company providing direct services to individuals and families affected by disabilities.

My career in the field of autism spectrum disorders began during an undergraduate social work internship in 1992.  I was assigned to work in the Men’s unit of a state funded developmental center in upstate New York.  My first assignment was the seemingly benign task of serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to a group of men with developmental disabilities.  Literally 10 minutes into my career I had my first scar as a set of teeth sunk into my arm!  It was this moment that led me to a career in autism spectrum disorders and behavior analysis.  I have a distinct memory of laying in my bed that night thinking…“I am either never going back there or never doing anything else with my life”…and here I am! 

This experience has provided direction to my career as a special education teacher, behavior analyst and program administrator, and led me to my position as Vice President and Chief Program Officer for Easter Seals Bay Area, where we provide innovative therapy, training, education, and support services to individuals from birth through young adulthood living with disabilities—especially those diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. I am part of a leadership team that places the highest value on creating solutions so all individuals living with disabilities can live, learn, work, and play to their full potential.